Story by Raynald Ngwarati
The Zimbabwe U-19 Women’s cricket team continued with its sublime form this Wednesday as it thumped Nambia by 42-runs in the third of six T20s.
The ever-green 15-year-old Beloved Biza carried her routine form into her third innings of the series and once more scored a half-century to frustrate Namibia.
Biza scored 57 runs which is her least number of runs in the series after scoring 62-runs and 73-runs in the opening two matches on Monday and Tuesday.
She was ably assisted by the ever-improving Kellis Ndlovu who fell twelve runs short of what could have been a remarkable half-ton, however, her 38 was enough to help the team to set a score beyond the reach of the hosts.
Mekelaye Mwatile tried to to tame the Young Lady Chevrons taking two wickets for 29 runs, but her efforts were disturbed by Biza and Ndlovu who sailed Zimbabwe through to 143 runs for the loss of five wickets in their 20 overs.
The score was too much for an improved Namibia who for the first time in the series went past 50 runs before surpassing the triple-figure mark.
Chipo Moyo who has been impressive throughout the series with the ball continued with her wicket-taking spree as she claimed two wickets for 15 runs while Biza and Panodya claimed a wicket each to wound Namibia.
The bruised Namibia side tried all it could, but there was broad daylight between their 101 for six in twenty overs and the 144 runs needed for victory.
They succumbed to a 42-run defeat, but have positives to take from the match as they made an emphatic comeback completing the allotted 20 overs for the first time, with wickets in hand and also getting past 50 runs and a century of runs.
The rivalry continues again tomorrow with the two sides flexing their muscle though it appears that fatigue is starting to catch up with the Zimbabweans after three matches in succession.
The six-match T20 series is part of the preparations for the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup.
